Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick schedules March workout with Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have scheduled a private workout with former Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick, according to a league source via various news outlets.

The Dolphins are currently one of nine teams that are slated to visit with Kaepernick, who met with 14 teams at February's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The San Francisco 49ers is one such franchise that is known to be working him out.

Kaepernick started four seasons for the Wolfpack out of the team's pistol formation, finishing his collegiate career with 10,098 passing yards and 82 touchdowns. He also rushed for 4,112 yards and 59 touchdowns, becoming the first player in Division I history to top 10,000 yards passing and 4,000 yards rushing.

The 23-year-old capped off his collegiate career with a Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl win over Boston College, and was integral in Nevada's overtime victory over undefeated, fourth-ranked Boise State in November.

Originally projected as a mid-to-late round draft selection entering his senior season, Kaepernick has thrown himself into the mix to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board following the big two in Cam Newton (Auburn) and Blaine Gabbert (Missouri).

Kaepernick clocked a higher throwing velocity than any of the other quarterbacks at the Combine (a field that included Newton), and has impressed scouts in the pre-draft period with his blend of size (6-5, 233), athleticism (4.53 40-yard dash), and passing ability.

(Update: Kaepernick also reportedly scored an impressive 38 on the Wonderlic test, ranking third in the draft class behind Gabbert and Alabama's Greg McElroy.)

While he did not play in a pro-style offense in college and is considered a bit raw with an elongated throwing motion, Kaepernick has shown the intangibles and potential to be a late-first or possibly second-round pick.

The Dolphins are likely to trade down in the first round (from No. 15 overall) to acquire a second-round pick. Along with the likes of Ryan Mallett (Arkansas), Jake Locker (Washington), Christian Ponder (Florida State), and Andy Dalton (TCU), Kaepernick will certainly vie for consideration as Miami looks to bring in competition for inconsistent and embattled starter Chad Henne.